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Tesla invests $2 billion in xAI, confirms Cybercab production this year

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Tesla said it will invest $2 billion in xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by its chief executive Elon Musk, while reaffirming that production of its Cybercab robotaxi remains on track to begin this year. The move underscores Tesla’s strategic shift from a traditional electric vehicle maker toward an AI- and autonomy-focused business model.

The investment supports Tesla’s push into self-driving technology and robotics, areas central to its long-term valuation. Management said factory investments tied to Cybercabs, humanoid robots, Semi trucks, and the Roadster will drive capital expenditures above $20 billion this year, more than double prior levels. Shares rose after the announcement but pared gains as investors weighed the scale of spending.

Tesla said it will stop selling the Model S and Model X, reallocating factory space to robotics production. While its core EV business remains under pressure from competition and pricing incentives, the company highlighted progress in margins and strong growth in its energy generation and storage segment.

Musk reiterated expectations for broader autonomous deployment, though regulatory hurdles remain for the Cybercab, which is designed without a steering wheel or pedals. Investors are watching rollout milestones closely as Tesla seeks to convert long-promised autonomy into tangible revenue.

Tesla’s Cybercab, Optimus Output to Start ‘Agonizingly Slow,’ Ramp Up Later, Musk Says

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Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said early production of the company’s Cybercab robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robot will be “agonizingly slow” before accelerating significantly as manufacturing matures.

Responding to a post on X, Musk said production speed depends heavily on complexity, noting that output is inversely proportional to the number of new parts and manufacturing steps involved. Because both Cybercab and Optimus rely on largely new designs and processes, early volumes will be limited before scaling rapidly.

Tesla has said it aims to begin volume production of the two-seat Cybercab, which lacks manual controls such as a steering wheel or pedals, in 2026. Output of the Optimus robot is expected to begin toward the end of that year. In December, Musk said Tesla was already testing robotaxis without safety monitors in the front passenger seat.

Much of Tesla’s $1.39 trillion valuation is tied to expectations for self-driving technology and robotics, even as electric vehicles remain the company’s primary source of revenue. Musk has repeatedly described humanoid robots as central to Tesla’s long-term strategy, arguing they could eventually surpass its vehicle business in economic impact.

Nvidia and auto suppliers roll out partnerships to revive stalled self-driving ambitions

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After years of costly failures and repeated delays, the self-driving car industry is once again pushing forward as chipmakers, technology firms and auto suppliers bet that artificial intelligence and deep partnerships can reignite progress. Companies including Nvidia are positioning themselves at the center of this renewed effort, even as automakers remain cautious about costs, scalability and consumer demand.

Fully autonomous vehicles promise to transform transportation, but delivering systems safe enough for public roads has proved far more complex and expensive than initially expected. While a handful of players such as Waymo and Tesla have chosen to pursue in-house development, legacy automakers including General Motors and Ford Motor have pulled back from their own fully autonomous programs.

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, a wave of new collaborations signaled fresh momentum. Amazon Web Services and German supplier Aumovio announced a partnership to support the commercial rollout of self-driving vehicles. Autonomous trucking firm Kodiak AI teamed up with Bosch to scale production of autonomous hardware and sensors.

Nvidia also unveiled its next-generation autonomous driving platform, which will underpin a robotaxi alliance involving Lucid Group, Nuro and Uber. Separately, Mercedes-Benz said it will launch a new advanced driver-assistance system in the United States later this year, powered by Nvidia chips, allowing limited autonomous operation on city streets under driver supervision.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly seen as the key to overcoming some of the industry’s biggest hurdles. Generative AI tools are speeding up development and validation while reducing the resources required, according to Ozgur Tohumcu of AWS, who described AI as a “big accelerant” for autonomous driving.

Western automakers are also feeling pressure from China, where regulators last month approved two vehicles with Level 3 autonomous capabilities, allowing hands-off driving under certain conditions. Still, industry leaders caution against unrealistic expectations. Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon, warned against “market fantasy” that fully self-driving cars could soon become commonplace, noting that automakers currently prefer revenue-generating Level 2 driver-assistance systems.

Robotaxi trials are expanding in small pockets across China, the United States, Europe and the Middle East, but scaling them remains costly. According to Jeremy McClain, expanding coverage requires massive data, fleets and logistics investments.

The industry’s long history of hype still looms large. Tesla CEO Elon Musk famously predicted in 2019 that a million self-driving Teslas would be on the road within a year, yet only launched a limited robotaxi service last year. Early setbacks, including the shutdown of GM’s Cruise unit after a high-profile accident, forced many automakers to retreat.

Nvidia executives argue that AI breakthroughs are finally addressing long-standing weaknesses, particularly in handling rare “edge cases.” Ali Kani said foundational advances are making the technology feel closer to readiness. Analysts, however, say Tesla still holds a significant lead, even as Nvidia’s open-source platform gives rivals a shared alternative.